The Belgrade metro will be integrated into an intermodal network of urban and intercity transportation, including bicycles, buses, trams, and trains.
Phase 1 will connect to the existing BG:voz lines at Pančevački Bridge and will have connections to two future BG:voz lines. A park-and-ride facility will be located near Železnik station. Additionally, the planned development and reorganisation of tram and bus lines will create two bus terminals along the line. There will be seven existing tram stations and three additional planned tram stations along the route.
The approximately 15km, 15 station line will include 11.2km of bored tunnels from Bela Voda to Pančevački Bridge and a 1.9km cut-and-cover section from the Makiš depot to Bela Voda. There will also be a 2.1km surface level section.
Speaking at the FAT ceremony, director of Belgrade Metro and Train Andreja Mladenović said the construction of the metro in Belgrade had been talked about for more than half a century, and that long-standing vision was becoming a reality.
“The construction of the Belgrade metro has begun and will be successfully completed. For such a significant undertaking, not only political will is sufficient, but also a strong and stable economy, responsibly managed public finances and institutional capacities that enable the implementation of large infrastructure projects,” he said.
Mladenović added that the TBMs represented the pinnacle of modern engineering achievements and technological progress, and that their precision, power and reliability would be key to the construction of the underground tunnels, one of the most complex phases of the project.
He also acknowledged the importance of co-operation with Chinese partners and their contribution to the implementation of the project.
“Today’s event has multiple significance. It is not only a technical step in the implementation of a complex infrastructure undertaking, but also a new confirmation of the strategic co’operation, mutual trust and steel friendship between the Republic of Serbia and the People’s Republic of China established by Presidents Aleksandar Vučić and Xi Jinping,”said Mladenović.
